Although they lacked a written calendar, the ancient Babylonians were the first civilization to celebrate New Years. The ritual started some 4,000 years ago. Using the moon as a guide, the Babylonians fixed the start of their year at around March 23 -- and celebrated for 11 days.

Not only did the Babylonians "invent" New Years, they also devised the custom of adopting New Years resolutions. The most popular resolution was not to quit smoking or lose weight (the most common modern American resolutions) but a vow to return borrowed farm implements.

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